Marijuana laws in Iowa (Council Bluffs, Colo: how much, tax, live)

[Babie_T_Nice]

I'm moving to a small town in Iowa from California. In California, marijuana possession is slightly worse than getting a speeding ticket and if you have a doctor's prescription for it, it's legal. If not, it's about $150 fine. What are the marijuana laws in Iowa and how much do local police tend to worry about marijuana?

***Mod Note***

When replying to this thread, please remember to not post about committing illegal acts. For example, if you smoke weed don't post about it.


- El Rhino

[At1WithNature]

it depends how much you have on you and on the cop. but expect it to be the polar opposite of cali. when you leave your home, don't bring much on you. that is my only advice.

[SoCiEtY's ReBel]

I don't know a whole lot about Iowa law as I have only lived in Council Bluffs, but in Nebraska, up to 1 oz (28 grams) is a civil infraction with a $100 fine for the first offense (gets higher for subsequent offenses). There is no criminal charge for possession...

Within a couple of years, I believe Marijuana will be declassified as a controlled substance at the federal level (Obama already said that the war on drugs is a failure) and individual states will be allowed to determine its legality; with the economy the way it is now, Im willing to bet a number of states will legalize and tax it...

It will take a while before it gets to all the states though... And some states may never legalize (i.e. the bible belt). I think its about in the same time frame as Gay Marriage...

[Stevie]

In Iowa the first offense for possession (of any amount) is 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. You people in Nebraska sure are lucky!

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by Stevie

In Iowa the first offense for possession (of any amount) is 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. You people in Nebraska sure are lucky!

really? they obviously haven't got anything better to do with tax payer money than to lock up these evil dope heads who pose an untold threat to society!

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by 58robbo

really? they obviously haven't got anything better to do with tax payer money than to lock up these evil dope heads who pose an untold threat to society!

A lot of people who get caught carrying that stuff probably do intend on using it. IMO that is no worse than someone using alcohol or tobacco, which is legal as long as you're not driving, not smoking at a non smoking establishment, etc. The real big problem I see with marijuana is the drug dealers, and the only reason they cause all this trouble is because marijuana is illegal in the first place.

[Dport7476]

Originally Posted by Stevie

In Iowa the first offense for possession (of any amount) is 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. You people in Nebraska sure are lucky!

Up to 6 months in jail...I know a few people who have been picked up with anywhere from a dime to an ounce and none of 'em ever went to jail.

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by Dport7476

Up to 6 months in jail...I know a few people who have been picked up with anywhere from a dime to an ounce and none of 'em ever went to jail.

Oh sorry, I forgot about the "up to" part. Still is a harsh law though.

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by Dport7476

Up to 6 months in jail...I know a few people who have been picked up with anywhere from a dime to an ounce and none of 'em ever went to jail.

that's not the point. you get caught with a dime and it's police and judiciary discretion as to whether you walk or do time. if you look into all the legislation that gets passed on a daily basis we're lucky that it's still legal to sneeze.

when our freedom depends on the mood of a police officer we need to start asking some questions

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by 58robbo

that's not the point. you get caught with a dime and it's police and judiciary discretion as to whether you walk or do time. if you look into all the legislation that gets passed on a daily basis we're lucky that it's still legal to sneeze.

when our freedom depends on the mood of a police officer we need to start asking some questions

I misread your previous post. At the time I responded to it I didn't realize that it was sarcasm. Sorry for the misconception!